Suburban areas where the predominance of malls and chain stores have so homogenized the landscape that there are few remaining external clues where you are. The result of spending any length of time in such areas is a "generic" experience of America, i.e., an experience that is identical whether you are in Texas, Massachusetts, Ohio, or California. May also include extensive housing developments characterized by tract housing or, worse, McMansions.

Every "mom-and-pop" shop that had given the area its charm and character had been replaced by a Walmart, a Payless, a McDonalds, or a Starbucks -- transforming what was once a delightful town into just another corner of the United States of Generica.

Suburban areas where the predominance of malls and chain stores have so homogenized the landscape that there are few remaining external clues where you are. The result of spending any length of time in such areas is a "generic" experience of America, i.e., an experience that is identical whether you are in Texas, Massachusetts, Ohio, or California. May also include extensive housing developments characterized by tract housing or, worse, McMansions.

Every "mom-and-pop" shop that had given the area its charm and character had been replaced by a Walmart, a Payless, a McDonalds, or a Starbucks -- transforming what was once a delightful town into just another corner of the United States of Generica.